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Citizen science in schools: Engaging students in research on urban habitat for pollinators
Author(s) -
Saunders Manu E.,
Roger Erin,
Geary William L.,
Meredith Floret,
Welbourne Dustin J.,
Bako Alex,
Canavan Emily,
Herro Francesca,
Herron Charlotte,
Hung Olivia,
Kunstler Madeline,
Lin Jade,
Ludlow Natasha,
Paton Mayling,
Salt Sunny,
Simpson Tallulah,
Wang Ariana,
Zimmerman Nikki,
Drews Kalani B.,
Dawson Hayley F.,
Martin Lachlan W. J.,
Sutton Jack B.,
Webber Chiquita C.,
Ritchie Amy L.,
Berns Leigham D.,
Winch Bella A.,
Reeves Holly R.,
McLennan Eiron C.,
Gardner Jordan M.,
Butler Charli G.,
Sutton Emily I.,
Couttie Max M.,
Hildebrand Jake B.,
Blackney Isabella A.,
Forsyth Justine A.,
Keating Deborah M.,
Moles Angela T.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
austral ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.688
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1442-9993
pISSN - 1442-9985
DOI - 10.1111/aec.12608
Subject(s) - citizen science , scientific literacy , sustainability , environmental education , science education , process (computing) , ecology , sociology , political science , pedagogy , computer science , biology , botany , operating system
Citizen science can play an important role in school science education. Citizen science is particularly relevant to addressing current societal environmental sustainability challenges, as it engages the students directly with environmental science and gives students an understanding of the scientific process. In addition, it allows students to observe local representations of global challenges. Here, we report a citizen science programme designed to engage school‐age children in real‐world scientific research. The programme used standardized methods deployed across multiple schools through scientist–school partnerships to engage students with an important conservation problem: habitat for pollinator insects in urban environments. Citizen science programmes such as the programme presented here can be used to enhance scientific literacy and skills. Provided key challenges to maintain data quality are met, this approach is a powerful way to contribute valuable citizen science data for understudied, but ecologically important study systems, particularly in urban environments across broad geographical areas.